Brad and I are talking about how to get copies without destroying the
80-year old plans. Paul has given me great suggestions as to where to seek help, as
has Roberta S. Greenwood. My primary concern right now is getting the plans
flattened out without breaking down the paper, so will be looking into paper
conservators. I probably will drive up to Brad's office at North County
Blueprint for his opinion. At least a plan is taking shape.
While finding a cache of Frank O. Wells plans is very exciting, it reminds
me of all the field maps I prepared over the years that probably have also
turned yellow from contact with acidic paper. All our photographic prints, field
maps, field notes, lab drawings, data cards etc. are subject to light-fade,
acid deterioration, insect eating, dust wear, and decay over time.
Archaeologists sometimes laugh that their artifacts are stone and will last forever, but
their catalog numbers, bags, and boxes will not. The artifact becomes just
another rock with all the provenience lost in a century. Cheery thought, I
know, but something we all need to think about.
And, I am very leery of scanned images surviving long into the future. There
is nothing as good as the original document. We have already discussed the
deterioration of CD, tape, video, and microfilm on HISTARCH. What kind of
machinery will be around in 100-years that can read an image scanned in 2006?
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.
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